Download SPCC's Career Focus Magazine - Summer

Start here…Go anywhere!South Piedmont Community CollegeSummer 2011 Volume 7 • Number 1One coursewas the keyto a great job!See Page 2Stretch yourfinancial aidSee Page 4Once I startedsetting goals…See Page 6Which careeris you?See Page 8

New at SPCC’s Aerospace and AdvancedManufacturing Training CenterCertificate in Aerospace Manufacturing300-hour program can provide you with the necessary skills to succeed in theaerospace industry:• Dynamics of manufacturing precision parts• Key concepts of aerospace manufacturing• Documentation, traceability, measurement and inspection• Hands-on training on motor controls, PLC applications, fluid power, AC/DCpower, electrical wiring• Skill application, integration of sub-systems• Troubleshooting• Diagnostics and system failure resolutionTo learn more, contactGeri Duncan at 704-290-5221 orgduncan@spcc.edu.

Questions about the South Piedmont Community Collegeprograms and services described in this publication shouldbe directed to Student Success at 704-290-5100 (Monroe)or 704-272-5300 (Polkton). Comments or questions aboutthis publication should be directed to the Marketing andCommunications Office at 704-272-5342.Publisher:....................................................Dr. John McKayPresident, South Piedmont Community CollegeEditor:.......................................................... Rosemary BrittDirector, Marketing & CommunicationsContributing Writers:..............Rosemary Britt, Leslie Clark,Jim MuldrowFeatures2 One course was the key to agreat job!ContentsCareerFocusPhotography:.................................................. Jim MuldrowVisit South Piedmont CommunityCollege on the webat www.spcc.edu4 Plan before registering tostretch your financial aidSouth Piedmont Community CollegeBoard of TrusteesKenneth E. CollinsThomas L. Crooke Sr., Vice ChairJohn N. Hendley6 Once I startedsetting goals…Kenneth W. Horne Jr.Hoy S. Lanning Jr.Harvey H. Leavitt III, ChairCynthia H. Little, SecretaryDonna McNairBill F. Norwood7 Are Online CoursesRight for Me?Dr. Charles F. PalmerE. Lynn Raye, Past ChairRichard StoneJarvis T. Woodburn8 “Which Career is You?”Executive StaffJohn McKay, Ed.D., PresidentElaine Clodfelter, Vice President, Student SuccessCareersJohn DeVitto, Vice President,Finance and Administrative ServicesGene Loflin, Ph.D., Vice President, Student LearningErnest Simons, Vice President, Information ServicesStuart Wasilowski, Vice President,Corporate and Continuing Education9 South Piedmont Community College A-ZAre you ready to start a career, learn new skillsor change careers? South Piedmont Community Collegehas a program for you.Hayne White, Executive Director,SPCC Foundation/Community RelationsCareer Focus is published periodically by South PiedmontCommunity College, P.O. Box 126, Polkton, NC 28135. Allrights reserved. No part of the material may be reproduced orused in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical,including photocopying, recording or any information storageretrieval system without the permission of the publisher.South Piedmont Community College is an equal opportunityinstitution.© 2011 South Piedmont Community CollegeOn the coverBrian Thomas pauses after setting up one of the machinesin the pressroom at Du-Co Ceramics in Monroe. Thomasgot the job at Du-Co after he completed a 10-week“Introduction to Mechatronics” course.Find Answers to yourCareer QuestionsCareerFocus Caféwww.careerfocuscafe.comCareerFocus Café is the new onlinecompanion to CareerFocus magazine704-290-5100 or 704-272-5300 I www.spcc.edu I South Piedmont Community College CareerFocus I Summer 2011 I 1

C a r e e r F o c u sFeatureOne course wasthe key to a great job!Brian Thomas went ayear without a job afterhe was laid off.One 10-week classat South PiedmontCommunity Collegehelped change that.He finished the“Introduction to Mechatronics”course in February 2010 and fourmonths later he was employedagain.After starting out in generalmaintenance at Du-Co CeramicsCompany in Monroe, he now worksexclusively in the pressroom, settingup and maintaining machines.“Du-Co called SPCC and wantedresumes of everyone who took thatclass,” Thomas said. “I was the onewho wound up getting the job.”“These courses offer a way to quicklylearn new skills,” SPCC IndustrialMaintenance Instructor RussellCarpenter said. “This enablesstudents to be ready for a new careerwith real-world skills in a shortamount of time.”Thomas, 37, grew up in Marshvilleand still lives there. He had workedat Consolidated Metco in Monroefor eight years when he was laidoff in January 2009. Unable to findanother job, the turning point forhim came when he interviewed atOMNOVA Solutions in Monroe. Hedid not get the job, he said, becauseof his lack of knowledge of electricalmotors. He knew “how” to do thejob, he said, but did not always know“why” he did certain things.He saw an ad for the mechatronicscourse at South Piedmont in anewspaper and decided to enroll.“Good things happened and I got thejob,” he said. Since Thomas joinedDu-Co, the company has hired twomore graduates of SPCC’s IndustrialMaintenance program.In a bit of irony, as his class waswinding down in late February2010, Carpenter chose Thomas todemonstrate his knowledge of themotor control trainer when SPCChad a luncheon to thank OMNOVASolutions officials for that company’sgifts to the school. During thepresentation, Thomas told theOMNOVA representatives about notgetting the job and said it turned outto be the best thing that could havehappened to him. Now, he told them,he had the training he needed.“I took that class because ofOMNOVA,” he said.The class met four days a weekfrom 8 a.m. to noon for 10 weeks.“I enjoyed the class,” Thomas said.“Russell was an excellent teacher.He’s a good friend of mine now. Heand I talk about once a month.”Thomas would like to take somemore classes, but “time hasn’tallowed me to do it right now,” hesaid.He believes that just the one class,however, has left him better off. “Ihave a lot more understanding ofhow to do my job,” he said. “I alreadyknew how to do a lot of things. Ididn’t know the exact terminology.Learning the electrical was the bestpart for me.“I liked the length of the class,” headded. “It was enough of a basicclass to get started. I’d recommendthat class for anyone wanting to getstarted in the field of maintenance.”Because the Industrial Maintenanceclasses last only a few weeks, it’snever long before a new one isstarting. For more information aboutIndustrial Maintenance classes atSouth Piedmont, contact RussellCarpenter at 704-246-0964 orrcarpenter@spcc.edu. CFBrian Thomas sets up one of the machines in the pressroom at Du-Co Ceramics inMonroe. Thomas is responsible for setting up and maintaining all the machines in thepressroom.“These courses offer a way to quickly learnnew skills. This enables students to beready for a new career with real-worldskills in a short amount of time.”SPCC Industrial Maintenance Instructor Russell Carpenter2I Summer 2011 I CareerFocus South Piedmont Community College I www.spcc.edu I 704-290-5100 or 704-272-5300

SPCC offers a QUICK START foryour INDUSTRIAL careerFor the worker who hassuddenly lost his job,or for someone who justwants to do somethingdifferent, SouthPiedmont CommunityCollege’s Corporate andContinuing EducationDivision offers courses that can getthem trained and back in the workforce quickly.These include the IndustrialMaintenance/Mechatronics coursestaught by Russell Carpenter and theCNC Operator – Quick Start classestaught by Mike Willard. The coursesgenerally take 160 hours of classtime, spread over 10 weeks.“What we try to do is take outeverything that’s not pertinent tothe job that will be performed, sothat all the training will be appliedto the particular job,” Carpentersaid. “We try to cut out the fat, so tospeak. We try to give concentratedtraining in the specific skills thatwill make these students employableand give them a good foundation toexpand upon.”Carpenter said the majority ofpeople who take his classes aredisplaced workers, but there aresome who are just looking for a newcareer. About 67 percent are findingnew jobs after taking his classes.“That number is steadily gettingbetter,” he said, noting that morecompanies appear to be hiringagain. “I think it’s actually growinga little bit,” he said. “I’m definitelyseeing more activity in the hiringsector.”Some companies are even coming tohim seeking his students now. “Weare seeing that as industries becomemore aware of the program,” hesaid. “I just had a company in todaythat’s interested in hiring some ofour students.”Carpenter likes to keep his classesat around 12 students. “It givesthem more hands-on time and moreindividual attention per student,” hesaid.“We try to give concentrated training inthe specific skills that will make thesestudents employable and give them a goodfoundation to expand upon.”SPCC Industrial Maintenance Instructor Russell CarpenterOf course, there’s nothing thatsays a student has to stop at oneclass if he or she has the timeand inclination to take more. “Ifthey took everything I offered,they’re looking right at 40 weeks,”Carpenter said. “That’s consideringback-to-back classes with nooverlap.”Some of Carpenter’s classes areactually part of the new aerospacecertificate being offered by SPCCand could be a stepping stone intothat.For Carpenter, the best part of hisjob is seeing his students returnto the work force or continue theireducation in other programs. “Thereward for me is it’s great to seesomeone … get back in the field, andsee some of the new guys – they’rejust blown away by the equipment.To see them walk out with a newcareer is really rewarding on myend.”Industrial Quick Start ClassesMechatronicsJune 20- Aug. 29, 8 a.m. to noon,Monday through ThursdayInstructor: Russell CarpenterCourse hours: 160Cost: $749MechatronicsSept. 6- Nov. 14, 8 a.m.-noon,Monday- ThursdayInstructor: Russell CarpenterCourse hours: 160Cost: $749CNC Operator + Quick StartJune 27-Sept. 7, 1-5 p.m.,Monday-ThursdayInstructor: Mike WillardCourse hours: 160Cost: $749Mechatronics 2(Basic Electro-Mechanical)Aug. 22-Oct. 11, 1-5 p.m.,Monday-ThursdayInstructor: Russell CarpenterCourse hours: 116Cost: $249704-290-5100 or 704-272-5300 I www.spcc.edu I South Piedmont Community College CareerFocus I Summer 2011 I 3

CareerFocusFeatureSouth PiedmontCommunity Collegeadministrators have awarning for studentswho depend onfinancial aid to paytheir educationalexpenses...Planyour course schedule carefullyto make sure you won’t runout of financial aid before youcomplete your program of study.Two groups most likely to fallinto this trap are studentswho change programs of study– sometimes multiple times –and students who wind up indevelopmental courses that theycould have placed out of witha better score on the CollegePlacement Test.A federal Pell Grant will pay for 150percent of the credit hours neededto complete a degree, diploma orcertificate. For example, if 70 credithours are needed to graduate,financial aid will pay for 105 hours(70 x 1.5 = 105).It will pay for only 30 hours ofdevelopmental classes, however, soit is important for students to placeout of them if they don’t really needthem.“First of all, it’s important forstudents to prepare for the CollegePlacement Test so they’ll do theirvery best on it,” SPCC Financial AidDirector John Ratliff said. “They’llbe placed in developmental courses,where had they studied, they couldforego having to be placed in thedevelopmental courses. You have tocomplete them in a certain order.If you’re placed into Math 060, youwill also have to finish Math 070.PlanSome programs also require Math080.”The college provides a studyguide that students can pick up oraccess online before they take theplacement tests.SPCC Counselor Jennifer Nichols helps Katie Edwards register for classes.beforeregistering tostretch yourfinancial aid“If they’re not up to speed, theyreally do need to be in thosedevelopmental courses,” Ratliffadded.Because of the 150 percent rule,however, it’s important for thosewho are capable to place out ofdevelopmental courses.“Any class that you take atSouth Piedmont, whether it isdevelopmental classes or creditstransferred from another school,they all count toward the federalmandatedSatisfactory AcademicProgress program,” Ratliff said.“That policy requires students tobasically make a C or better in alltheir classes and not fall below a67 percent completion rate. If theywithdraw, or fail a class, that countsagainst them. Those developmentalhours they take because they don’tstudy for the test, those all count.”“Students wanting to stretch theirfinancial aid as far as they canneed to study for the test, talkwith counselors and make sure theprogram is something they can stickwith,” Ratliff said.And that is the second problemmany students face. They cometo school without a clear idea ofwhat they want to accomplish,or perhaps have unrealisticexpectations. Someone who is placedin developmental math, for instance,is less likely to be successful ina program with a strong mathcomponent.“Students need to make sure they’rein the major that they want so thatthey don’t take classes they don’tneed,” SPCC Counselor JenniferNichols said. “Students who changetheir major or require severaldevelopmental classes need to payparticular attention to the totalcredit hours attempted becausethey’re at the highest risk ofexhausting their financial aid.”“Financial aid will only pay forhours within your program,” Ratliffemphasized. “If they want to takeauto body, and they’re in accounting,they’ll have to pay for that.”He noted that financial aid willpay for electives that are part of aprogram of study.“Students need to speak with theadvisers of their programs to makesure they’re taking classes towardthe completion of their program,”Nichols said, “not other advisers andnot other students.“If you are sure of your program,”she added, “you should see youradviser to make sure you’retaking the right classes. And takeadvantage of priority registrationwhen their your adviser is available.Advisers aren’t always availableduring the summer, but duringpriority registration, they are.”Two groups most likely to fall into this trapare students who change programs of study– sometimes multiple times – and studentswho wind up in developmental courses thatthey could have placed out of with a betterscore on the College Placement Test.4I Summer 2011 I CareerFocus South Piedmont Community College I www.spcc.edu I 704-290-5100 or 704-272-5300

SPCC Financial Aid Director John Ratliff, left, and Hubert Crouch of Lilesville discuss Crouch’s FAFSA application.“Students need to make sure they’re in themajor that they want so that they don’ttake classes they don’t need. Studentswho change their major or require severaldevelopmental classes need to payparticular attention to the total credithours attempted because they’re at thehighest risk of exhausting their financialaid.”SPCC Counselor Jennifer NicholsNichols said that students orprospective students who are notsure about what they want tostudy should see Career ServicesCounselor Eric Skeen. He and otherSouth Piedmont counselors haveseveral assessment tools available.Those include the Strong InterestInventory and the Myers-BriggsType Indicator, both of whichSkeen can administer. There’s alsothe Holland Self-Directed Search(SDS), an assessment based on thestudents’ interests, competenciesand attitudes that generates athree-letter code that can be used tomatch them with jobs found in thecode type. All SPCC counselors canread and interpret the SDS.One other problem that studentssometimes run into is biting offmore than they can chew in aneffort to get the maximum federalfinancial aid. That requires takinga minimum 12 hours a semester.“A lot of people sign up for moreclasses than they’re going to be ableto handle,” Ratliff said. “They needto strive to sign up for no more thanwhat they can take and excel in. Youneed to be able to pass those classes.If you withdraw from those classes,it counts as attempted hours.”Ratliff recommended that studentsand prospective students start theapplication process early. “You canapply as soon as Jan. 1 of everyyear,” he said. “You need to usethe previous year’s tax returnsto complete the FAFSA (FreeApplication for Federal StudentAid). Any one of our financial aidtechnicians will be able to assistprospective students with theirFAFSA preparations.” CFTips for makingmaximum use offinancial aid• Find a program of study thataligns with your interests andabilities.• Study for the CollegePlacement Test so thatyou don’t take lower-leveldevelopmental courses thanyou really need.• Do not take a heavier courseload than you can handle. Ifyou withdraw from a class,those hours count as hoursattempted.704-290-5100 or 704-272-5300 I www.spcc.edu I South Piedmont Community College CareerFocus I Summer 2011 I 5

C a r e e r F o c u sFeatureOnce I started setting goals…I started setting bigger goals, and I’ve just kept on going ever since.By Jim Muldrowou know when yougo to the doctor’soffice and you seethose people sittingat the front and theymake it look so easy?”Shawna Loftis said.“You don’t see all thosethings they do ahead oftime, making sure the insuranceis up to date, making sure thepaperwork is complete, thepathology reports are in the chart,and medical records sent overfrom other doctors are in there.“I guess I always thought it justmiraculously appeared,” she saidwith a laugh. “I didn’t know thatwas going to be my job. It’s alittle more than, ‘Welcome, let’ssign you in.’ You have to find outhow much their co-pay is, or ifthey have a deductible and verifytheir insurance.”Loftis, who graduated fromSouth Piedmont CommunityCollege last year with degrees inMedical Office Administrationand Office Administration anda Medical Assisting diploma,began working as a registrarat CornerStone Ear, Noseand Throat in January. Aftertraining at the Monroe office,she now works at The Arboretumoffice in Charlotte.That Loftis works in a medicalfield at all is surprising to her.But to understand how she gothere, one has to go back a decade.“I had been a stay-at-home momall my life,” the 38-year-oldmother of two said. “I was a CNAfor a year and a half and when Igot pregnant, I quit. I worked atFood Lion off and on, and I knewthat wasn’t what I wanted to dowith my life.”Loftis enrolled at SPCC in 2001and graduated with degrees inAccounting in 2004 and BusinessAdministration in 2005. Afterthat, she worked for a time atFood Lion again, as the assistantcustomer service manager atthe Marshville store. “I got tiredAs the registrar at CornerStone Ear, Nose and Throat in Charlotte, ShawnaLoftis greets patients with a smile.of working every weekend,” shesaid. “My kids needed me morethan Food Lion did.“I wanted to work down towardWadesboro,” the Peachlandresident said, “because my kidswere small and I could not finda job in accounting. I went fora job at the Anson hospital andthe lady really liked me, butbecause I didn’t have any medicaltraining, she couldn’t hire me.”With that in mind, she returnedto SPCC, first to pursue aMedical Office Administrationdegree. Along the way, however,she began to focus on a secondgoal. When she took MeredithEubanks’ medical terminologyclass, “She was talking to meabout the Medical Assistingprogram,” Loftis said. “I was kindof iffy about it. She kept tellingme I was going to be really goodat it. She put me in the Med110 (Orientation to MedicalAssisting) class. Once I got intoit and started really reading thebook, I said, ‘Oh, I like this, sowe’re really going to do this.’“Even drawing blood wasn’tnearly as bad as I thought it wasgoing to be,” she said. “It’s stillnot my favorite thing to do.”When all was said and done,Loftis earned an Office SystemsTechnology certificate and aMedical Office Administration– Medical Insurance Codingdiploma in late 2009, then addedthe two degrees and diploma lastyear.She gained her certification inMedical Assisting in October,then had surgery that delayedher job search. A month afterher surgery, however, she washired by CornerStone. “It took alittle bit of time,” she said. “Noone wants to hire you withoutexperience.”While Loftis’ job provides aregular Monday-through-Friday,7:30 a.m.-to-4:30 p.m. schedule,it means an early start to theday. “I leave at 6 o’clock in themorning,” she said. “I get to work30 to 40 minutes early, just soI can kick back and relax andprepare myself for the day. Myday starts at 7:30, and I’m raringto go at 7:30.“It’s different every day,” sheadded. “You never know what’sgoing to happen. You havedifferent patients, differentproblems every day.”Those different patients are whatshe enjoys most about her job.“Especially the elderly,” she said.“The kids are the most fun, but Ihave a soft spot for the elderly.”Taking some breaks along theway, it took Loftis seven yearsof schooling to earn her variousdegrees and diplomas, sometimesprompting teasing or questionsfrom her friends. “I tell them,‘Well, I didn’t know what Iwanted to be when I grew up,’”she said.Loftis’ life was complicated byhaving to raise her two daughterswhile her husband, Gary, workedfor the Army National Guardbased in Washington, N.C. Hewas in Iraq during some of thetime she was in school. “WhenGary was in Iraq, it was hard,”she said. “It was just me and Ididn’t have a support systemin line at that time. My familylives in Arkansas and Ohio andGary’s family is in Thomasville.I learned to ask for help fromfriends while he was gone.”6I Summer 2011 I CareerFocus South Piedmont Community College I www.spcc.edu I 704-290-5100 or 704-272-5300

Shawn Loftis’ job often involves multitasking, in this case dealing with one patient on the phone while checking in another in the office.Both daughters, now 17 and 15,were active in church and weretaking karate classes at that time.“The worst part was juggling, tryingto get everybody here and there,”she said.That was alleviated some when herolder daughter, Melinda, got herdriver’s license.Since Gary has returned from Iraq,he has earned an online bachelor’sdegree in history from ExcelsiorUniversity and is starting on amaster’s in theology through LibertyUniversity. There have been timeswhen all four family members werefurthering their education in oneform or another. Melinda, 17, isa senior at Anson County EarlyCollege, and younger daughterBrooke, 15, is in the ScholarsProgram at Anson High School.Whether her husband was home orabroad, however, Loftis made surethere was time for family whileshe was continuing her education.“We did homework together,” shesaid. “We had homework time. Wehad family time. Friday night wasWhile going to school presented challenges,it also offered rewards beyond furtheringher education and landing a job.always family night, at least untilone of them started dating. Wealways tried to keep Saturday clearso we could do stuff together.”While going to school presentedchallenges, it also offered rewardsbeyond furthering her education andlanding a job.“Before I started coming here, I wasa stay-at-home mom all the time,”Loftis said. “I was closed off. I didn’ttalk much. It kind of brought me outof my shell. It gave me self-esteem,self-confidence and made me believethat I could do almost anything. Andit actually made me start settinggoals for myself. Once I startedsetting goals for myself, I startedsetting bigger goals and I’ve just kepton going ever since. I still set goalsand try to achieve those goals daily,weekly and yearly.”Loftis credits two instructors inparticular for helping her findher way. “Mrs. Eubanks was oneof them,” she said. “I would neverin a million years have gone intothe medical field. Mrs. (Patricia)Johnson was another one. Shewould sit and talk to me if I wasever having a bad day. Sometimes itwould be something she would sayin class, and I would be like, ‘I cando this.’ Some teachers, they lovewhat they do, and it shows. She’sone of those teachers. Both of thoseteachers are.”Aside from going to class,Loftis became involved in manyorganizations on campus. She hasa hard time picking what she likedbest. “Oh, wow,” she said. “Whatwas not fun? I loved Phi ThetaKappa, SGA (Student GovernmentAssociation) and the MedicalAssisting state convention in Aprilof last year. I do a lot of communityservice, and now I’ve joinedBurnsville Fire and Rescue. I gotout of school and joined somethingelse. I believe in giving back tothe community, and my kids arefollowing in the same footsteps.”Loftis believes she is done with herschooling for a while and is contentwith her job. But, down the road?“I’m going to stay here for a while,”she said. “I would eventually like toget my bachelor’s degree in healthadministration. Right now, I’ve gottwo kids preparing to go to college,so we’ll get them through collegefirst. Then, we’ll worry about Mama.After seven years of college, I need abreak.” CF704-290-5100 or 704-272-5300 I www.spcc.edu I South Piedmont Community College CareerFocus I Summer 2011 I 7

CareerFocusFeatureWhich Career is you?A simple self-assessment can help you start thinking about your optionsBy Leslie ClarkDo you sometimesfeel unsure aboutwhere your careerplans are headed?If so, don’t panic,because you are notalone. Many of usfeel this way aboutour current jobs or job planning, anddon’t realize that there are waysto turn things around. A GallupPoll indicated that over 50 percentof Americans are dissatisfied withtheir jobs. In another Gallup survey,two-thirds of a group of adults saidif they were starting all over, theywould try to get more informationabout their career options.The first step: Self-assessmentWhether you’re starting yourfirst job, planning your career,re-entering the job market, orconsidering your next career, it’simportant to get to know yourselfthrough self-assessment. Here’syour chance to take the first stepin finding out whichoccupations allowyou to best useyour strengths andtalents. Pick upa pen or penciland take thequiz.Directions: Check off the items you think you would enjoy in each section.Mark all items that apply.“R” SectionRepair a carDo wood workingRefinish furnitureExplore a forestArrest lawbreakersPlant a gardenBuild furnitureRun a raceDrive a truck“A” SectionSing before the publicDesign clothingDecorate a home or officeDirect a playWrite a story or playDesign a posterCreate a sculptureArrange flowersMake videos“E” SectionSell carsMake a speechBe the boss of otherworkersStart a clubSave moneySell thingsLead a meetingTake charge of a projectAct in a performanceSell magazines door todoor“I” SectionStudy causes of disease “S” Section“C” SectionDo a science project Teach childrenKeep detailed recordsStudy human anatomy Care for a sick personOperate businessStudy insectsTeach a friendmachinesResearch solutions to Interview clientsOrganize a work areaenvironmental problemsHelp a person overcome Take telephone messagesCollect minerals and difficultiesrocksAttend to detailsBe a hospital volunteerStudy the solar systemBalance a budgetHelp a charityDo math problemsUse a computerMake people laughTalk to a scientistProofread a documentBaby-sitStudy plantsCreate a filing systemHere’s your chance to takethe first step in findingout which occupationsallow you to best use yourstrengths and talents.Something to think aboutQuizzes like these are not designed to tell youexactly which job is right for you, but can helpyou think about preferences. This is only one ofmany career assessment tools available. To get afull understanding of how to best plan a careerperfect for you, make an appointment with EricSkeen, SPCC Career Services counselor, bycalling 704-290-5846. CFNow, go back to thesections. Add up howmany boxes you checkedin each section and fillin the totals for eachin the space providedbelow.Totals:R __________I __________A __________S __________E __________C __________What the letters meanEach of these letters represents a personal interest category. The columns you havethe most check marks in show where your interests are the strongest. Listed beloware some jobs related to each interest type.Realistic Careers: Mechanic, firefighter, police officer, forester, chef, carpenter,landscape architect, military, athletic trainer, engineer.Investigative Careers: Biologist, psychologist, computer programmer, doctor,engineer, pharmacist, mathematician, dietician.Artistic Careers: Artist, musician, novelist, photographer, lawyer, interiordesigner, television announcer, actor, disc jockey, art teacher, reporter, architect.Social Careers: Social worker, counselor, teacher, nurse, minister, schooladministrator, occupational therapist.Enterprising Careers: Business owner, manager, sales person, travel agent,public relations, personnel director, realtor, florist.Conventional Careers: Accountant, secretary, banker, bookkeeper, math teacher,treasurer, surgical technologist, dental assistant.Taken from The Career Interest Program Prentice-Hall, Inc. © 20018I Summer 2011 I CareerFocus South Piedmont Community College I www.spcc.edu I 704-290-5100 or 704-272-5300

SPCC CredentialCertificateDiplomaYour Community’sCollegeCommunity. It’s right there in the middle of our name. It’s thereason we exist. Walk through campus and you’ll see creditstudents working on a college degree or a new career; non-creditstudents exploring their creativity and improving their lives;and folks who have been out of school for a while picking up newskills. They’re all here.It’s the college’s mission to provide an open-door teaching andlearning environment, and to work in partnership with thecommunities we serve.We have classes and programs to move you toward your goals. Choose parttime, full time, day or evening, credit or non-credit. You’ll find small classes,comprehensive services and caring teachers.For certificate, diploma and degree programs, browse through the A-Z listingbelow and see where an education at South Piedmont Community Collegecan take you. CFAssociate in Arts Degree/Associate in Science DegreeAssociate in Applied ScienceDegreeContinuing EducationProgramGives youThe skills you need to move into an entry-level job andcollege creditsAdditional skills to help you move up with a promotionand college creditsThe first two years of college coursework to transfer to afour-year college or university as a juniorIn-depth career preparation, as well as some generaleducation classes, during a two-year course of studyTraining in your chosen field, but does not award collegecreditsSouth Piedmont Community College A-ZWhat follows is an alphabetical listing of programs and areas of study offered bySouth Piedmont Community College. For more information, call 704-290-5100 or704-272-5300 or visit SPCC on the Web at www.spcc.edu.AccountingEmployment in accounting firms, as well as large and small corporations, preparing financialstatements, balance sheets and tax returnsEmployment opportunities: Accounting firms, small businesses, banks, hospitals; selfemployment.AAS or CertificateEntry Salary ranges: $29,785-$40,794Program Contact: Toiya Evans, tevans@spcc.edu, 704-290-5233Activity CoordinatorEmployment planning daily activities for older adult residents of assisted living and long-term carefacilities, and coordinating volunteer programs (Graduates of the program are state-qualified to beemployed.)Employment opportunities: Assisted living and long-term care facilities.Continuing Education Program CertificateEntry Salary ranges: $18,000-$30,000Program Contact: Sandy Huntley, shuntley@spcc.edu, 704-272-5456Advertising/Graphic DesignEmployment in graphic design with emphasis on print design, web design, advertising, illustration,photography and digital preparation of materials.Employment opportunities: Graphic design studios, advertising agencies, printingcompanies, newspapers, web design; self-employment.AAS or CertificateEntry Salary ranges: $24,051-$30,487Program Contact: Linda M. Ward, lmward@spcc.edu, 704-290-5279Air Conditioning, Heating and RefrigerationA career in residential and commercial maintenance and installation of heating and cooling systems.Employment opportunities: Firms that specialize in installing, repairing and servicingheating and cooling systems and refrigeration equipment in homes, commercial andindustrial buildings.AAS, Diploma or CertificateEntry Salary ranges: $24,960-$27,040 1Program Contact: Dr. Maria Lander, mlander@spcc.edu, 704-290-5267Associate in Arts-Elementary EducationTransfer to a senior college or university to study elementary education (SPCC and WingateUniversity offer a cohort transfer program.)Employment opportunities: Work as an elementary school teacherAAEntry Salary ranges: $25,510 (local supplement may apply) 2Program Contact: Joe Delaney, jdelaney@spcc.edu, 704-290-5237Associate in Arts or Science (College Transfer)Transfer to a senior college or university.AA or ASProgram Contact: AA: Tammy Frailly, tfrailly@spcc.edu, 704-290-5829AS: David Wheeler, dwheeler@spcc.edu, 704-290-5879Auto Body RepairEmployment in the auto body repair trade.Employment opportunities: Auto dealerships or franchised independent garages;self-employment.Continuing Education Program CertificateEntry Salary ranges: $26,750-$32,949Program Contact: Bob Winfrey, rwinfrey@spcc.edu, 704-272-7554Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET)SPCC A to ZA career as a certified law enforcement officer in North Carolina.Employment opportunities: Municipal police departments, sheriffs’ offices, bailiff, NCState Highway Patrol, State Bureau of Investigation.CertificateEntry Salary ranges: $22,048-$23,728Program Contact: Kevin Ashley, kashley@spcc.edu, 704-290-5820CareerFocus704-290-5100 or 704-272-5300 I www.spcc.edu I South Piedmont Community College CareerFocus I Summer 2011 I 9

Biomedical Equipment Technology(offered in collaboration with Stanly Community College)Employment as a biomedical equipment technician.Employment opportunities: Hospitals, clinics,research laboratories, service organizations andmedical equipment manufacturers.AASEntry Salary ranges: $30,000-$50,000 3Program Contact: George Kouvaris, gkouvaris@spcc.edu, 704-290-5265Biotechnology (offered in collaboration with Gaston College)Employment as research assistants to biologists or chemists, laboratory technicians,instrumentation technicians or quality assurance technicians.Employment opportunities: High tech manufacturing, agribusiness, government, researchand development, sales, customer service.AASEntry Salary ranges: $25,000-50,000 4Program Contact: David Wheeler, dwheeler@spcc.edu, 704-290-5879Business AdministrationEmployment requiring fundamental knowledge of business functions and processes.Employment opportunities: Government agencies, financial institutions, large/smallbusinesses; self-employment.AAS or Diploma or CertificateEntry Salary ranges: $27,094-36,478Program Contact: Fredrea Crawford-Smith, fsmith@spcc.edu, 704-290-5274Computer Information TechnologyEmployment with organizations that use computers to process, manage and communicateinformation.Employment opportunities: Systems maintenance, troubleshooting, support/training andbusiness applications design and implementation.AAS or CertificateEntry Salary ranges: $29,000-$73,000 5Program Contact: Chris Johnson, c-johnson@spcc.edu, 704-272-5426Computer Information Technology - Game DesignEntry-level employment as game designer.Employment opportunities: Gaming industry as programmer trainees and softwaredevelopers.CertificateEntry Salary ranges: $29,000-$51,000 5Program Contact: Oscar Gonzalez, ogonzalez@spcc.edu, 704-290-5232Computer Information Technology - Microsoft OfficeEntry-level employment as a Microsoft Office specialist.Employment opportunities: Business, industry, government organizations as computeroperators and software support technicians.CertificateEntry Salary ranges: $29,000-$52,000 5Program Contact: Patricia Johnson, p-johnson@spcc.edu, 704-272-5423Computer Information Technology - Operating SystemsEntry-level employment with organizations that require operating systems administration.Employment opportunities: Systems maintenance, troubleshooting, support/training andOS administration.CertificateEntry Salary ranges: $29,000-$68,000 5Program Contact: Kim Bateman, kbateman@spcc.edu, 704-272-5417Computer Information Technology-Routing & Switching (CISCO)Employment installing and supporting computer networks(Students in this program may prepare for exams to earnCisco certification.)Employment opportunities: LAN/PC administrators,microcomputer support specialist, network control operator,communication technician/analyst, network/computerconsultant, information systems specialist.CertificateEntry Salary ranges: $29,000-$63,000 5Program Contact: Cheryl Hicks,chicks@spcc.edu, 704-290-5815Contractors’ Exam ReviewTaking the N.C. Residential or Commercial Contractors’ Exam given by the North CarolinaContractors’ Licensing Board.Employment opportunities: Residential and commercial construction.Continuing Education Program CertificateEntry Salary ranges: Varies according to construction fieldProgram Contact: Geri Duncan, gduncan@spcc.edu, 704-290-5221Criminal JusticeEmployment within the local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, court systems,correctional facilities, security, loss prevention and forensic science.Employment opportunities: Police officer, deputy sheriff, detention officer, state trooper,probation/parole officer, surveillance officer, loss prevention specialist, crime scene tech,FBI agent, SBI agent, court clerk, private investigator, trial court administrator, victim/witnessassistant and criminal background researcher.AAS or Diploma or CertificateEntry Salary ranges: $26,000-$42,000 6Program Contact: Miriam Sallee, msallee@spcc.edu, 704-290-5264Early Childhood EducationWorking with children from infancy through middlechildhood in diverse learning environments.Employment opportunities: Preschools,childcare programs, Head Start, public andprivate schools, recreational centers.AAS or Diploma or CertificateEntry Salary ranges: $17,202-$19,618Program Contact: Sharon Little,s-little@spcc.edu, 704-272-5399Electrical/Electronics TechnologyEmployment installing and maintaining electrical/electronic systems found in residential,commercial and industrial facilities.Employment opportunities: On-the-job trainee or apprentice assisting in the layout,installation and maintenance of electrical/electronic systems (Graduates who successfullycomplete the required apprenticeship are prepared to take the state electrical contractinglicense exam.)AAS, Diploma or CertificateEntry Salary ranges: $33,456-$40,502Program Contact: Contact: George Kouvaris, gkouvaris@spcc.edu, 704-290-5265Emergency Medical TechnicianAdministering first aid treatment and transporting sick or injured persons to medical facility,working as a paid or volunteer member of an emergency medical team.Employment opportunities: Ambulance services, fire and rescue agencies.Continuing Education Program Certificate(Basic, Intermediate and Paramedic)Entry Salary ranges: $20,000-$40,000 7Program Contact: Contact: Robby Smith, rsmith@spcc.edu, 704-290-581710I Summer 2011 I CareerFocus South Piedmont Community College I www.spcc.edu I 704-290-5100 or 704-272-5300

EntrepreneurshipEmployment in your own business.Employment opportunities: Self-employed business owner.AAS, Diploma or CertificateProgram Contact: Sam Spencer, sspencer@spcc.edu, 704-272-5425Fire Fighter TrainingEmployment or volunteer duties with a fire department. Basic and continuing training for firefighters is provided in cooperation with local municipal and volunteer departments (A student mustbe a member of a fire department to take training.)Employment opportunities: Municipal fire departments.Continuing Education Program CertificateEntry Salary ranges: $22,267-$26,130Program Contact: Chris Yates, cyates@spcc.edu, 704-290-5816Fire Protection Technology(offered in collaboration with Central Piedmont Community College)Occupations where the technical knowledge of fire protection is needed in order to deal withhazardous materials, investigate arson, and make fire prevention recommendations to thepublic and private sector.Employment opportunities: Government agencies, industrial firms, insurance ratingorganizations, educational organizations, municipal fire departments with the opportunityfor skilled and supervisory-level positions.AASEntry Salary ranges: $29,463-$32,585Program Contact: Tammy Frailly, tfrailly@spcc.edu, 704-290-5829David Wheeler, dwheeler@spcc.edu, 704-290-5879Human Services TechnologyFamily and child assistance programs, rehabilitation services, youth services, services for aging,programs for developmentally disabled.Employment opportunities: Employment doing direct service delivery work in socialservice agencies.AAS or DiplomaEntry Salary ranges: $24,600-$35,000 8Program Contact: Fedder Williams, f-williams@spcc.edu, 704-290-5877Human Services Technology-Substance Abuse CertificateEmployment as substance abuse counselor, DWI counselor, residential facility worker.Employment opportunities: Substance abuse counselors work with physicians, nurses,social workers, mental health counselors, police in courts, schools, correctional facilities,treatment facilities.CertificateEntry Salary ranges: $28,000-$45,000 9Program Contact: Fedder Williams, f-williams@spcc.edu, 704-290-5877MechatronicsEmployment in the installation and repair of manufacturing equipment and automated machinery.Employment opportunities: Work in manufacturing facilities or as field service technician.Continuing Education Program CertificateEntry Salary ranges: $18.95-$22.45/hr. 10Program Contact: Russell Carpenter, rcarpenter@spcc.edu, 704-246-0964Medical AssistingEmployment as a multi-skilled healthcare professional performing administrative, clinical andlaboratory procedures (Graduates are eligible to sit for the American Association of MedicalAssistants Certification Examination to become Certified Medical Assistants).Employment opportunities: Physicians’ offices, health maintenance organizations, healthdepartments, hospitals.AAS or DiplomaEntry Salary ranges: $19,000-$27,000 7Program Contact: Lori Starnes, lstarnes@spcc.edu, 704-290-5825Medical Coding SpecialistEmployment as a medical coding specialist upon satisfactory completion of online medicalcourses and a passing grade on the American Academy of Professional Coders exam.Employment opportunities: Physicians’ offices, hospitals, nursing homes, codingconsulting companies.Continuing Education Program CertificateEntry Salary ranges: $20,090-$26,250 10Program Contact: Geri Duncan, gduncan@spcc.edu, 704-290-5221Medical Laboratory Assistant (a Medical Assisting certificate option)Employment performing routine medical laboratory testing and office tasks (Graduates may applyto take the AMT certification exam to become a Medical Laboratory Assistant.)Employment opportunities: Physicians’ offices and hospitals.CertificateEntry Salary ranges: $19,000-$27,000 7Program Contact: Lori Starnes, lstarnes@spcc.edu, 704-290-5825Medical Office AdministrationEmployment performing administrative and support functions in medical and other healthcarefacilities.Employment opportunities: Medical and dental offices, hospitals, insurance companies,laboratories, medical supply companies, other healthcare-related organizations.AAS, Certificate, Medical Insurance CodingDiploma or Transcription CertificateEntry Salary ranges: $20,250-$41,506 10Program Contact: Cindy Crenshaw, ccrenshaw@spcc.edu, 704-290-5858Medical SonographyEmployment as a medical sonographer or ultrasound technologist (Graduates are eligible to takeexaminations administered by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers)Employment opportunities: Hospitals, physicians’ offices, mobile services, educationalinstitutions.AASEntry Salary ranges: $40,000-$75,000 7Program Contact: Janet Otton, jotton@spcc.edu, 704-290-5227Nursing Assistant I & IIEmployment as an NA I and II. Training and competency testing required for listing on NA Registry.Employment opportunities: Hospitals, nursing homes, patients’ homes, physicians’offices.Continuing Education Program CertificateEntry Salary ranges: $18,000-$30,000 7Program Contact: Debra Griffin, dgriffin@spcc.edu, 704-290-5217Nursing-Associate DegreeA healthcare career as a nurse [Graduates of this program are eligible to take the National Councilof State Boards of Nursing Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) to become a registerednurse.]Employment opportunities: Hospitals, long-term care facilities, clinics, physiciansoffices, community agencies.AASEntry Salary ranges: $39,000-$71,000 7Program Contact: Joyce Long, j-long@spcc.edu, 704-290-5281Nursing-PracticalProviding nursing care to children and adults [Graduates are eligible to apply to take theNCLEX-PN, which is required for practice as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN).]Employment opportunities: Hospitals, clinics, physicians’ offices, long-term carefacilities.DiplomaEntry Salary ranges: $24,000-$40,000 7Program Contact: Joyce Long, j-long@spcc.edu, 704-290-5281704-290-5100 or 704-272-5300 I www.spcc.edu I South Piedmont Community College CareerFocus I Summer 2011 I 11

Nursing-LPN RefresherEmployment as a licensed practical nurse upon reinstatement of LPN license by N.C. Board ofNursing.Employment opportunities: Hospitals, clinics, physicians’ offices, long-term carefacilities.CertificateEntry Salary ranges: $24,000-$40,000 7Program Contact: Joyce Long, j-long@spcc.edu, 704-290-5281Paralegal TechnologyEmployment performing routine legal tasks and assistingwith substantive legal work under the supervisionof an attorney.Employment opportunities: Private law firms,governmental agencies, banks, insurance agenciesand other business organizations.AAS, Diploma or CertificateEntry Salary ranges: $32,139-$41,117Program Contact: David Broome,dbroome@spcc.edu, 704-290-5862Therapeutic MassageWork as a massage therapist to provide methodical pressure, friction and kneading of the bodyfor maintaining wellness or treating alterations in wellness (Graduates may be eligible to take theMassage and Bodywork Licensing Exam (MBLEX).Employment opportunities: Hospitals, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, spas, healthand sports clubs.Continuing Education Program CertificateEntry Salary ranges: $15,000-$50,000 7Program Contact: Mary Berger, mberger@spcc.edu, 704-290-5865Web DesignEmployment designing web graphics and maintaining web sitesEmployment opportunities: Graphic design studios, web design studios and other businesseswith a web presence.CertificateEntry salary ranges: $37,000-$50,000 12Program Contact: Linda Ward, lmward@spcc.edu, 704-290-5279North Carolina salary information taken from www.nccareers.org unless otherwise noted.1Results of a survey of local employers. 2 Information from www.ncpublicschools.org.3Information from aami.org. 4 Information from www.ncbionetwork.org. 5 Information fromREAL (Rural Entrepreneurship through Action Learning)Self-employment in a business you own and operate using a business plan you develop while youare enrolled in the one-semester REAL program.Employment opportunities: Self-employment in a business you build.Continuing Education Program CertificateEntry Salary ranges: Varies according to type and success of businessProgram Contact: Dan Merle, dmerle@spcc.edu, 704-290-5219Real Estate Sales/BrokerUpon passing the Real Estate Salesperson/Provisional Broker state exam, you will be qualified towork as a real estate agent renting, buying and selling property on a commission basis, and willattain provisional broker status.Employment opportunities: Real estate agencies.Continuing Education Program CertificateEntry Salary ranges: $27,851 (average entry earnings) 10Program Contact: Geri Duncan, gduncan@spcc.edu, 704-290-5221School-Age EducationEmployment working with children in elementary through middle grades in diverse learningenvironments. Graduates are prepared to plan and implement developmentally appropriateprograms in school-aged environments.Employment opportunities: Preschools, childcare programs, Head Start, public andprivate schools, public and private agencies, recreational centersAAS or Diploma or CertificateEntry Salary ranges: $14,545-$19,618Program Contact: Sharon Little, s-little@spcc.edu, 704-272-5399www.cbsalary.com. 6 Information from www.osp.state.nc.us/jobs/ 7 Information from NC HealthCareers 2008-2010 published by N.C. Area Health Education Centers. 8 Information fromwww.acinet.org. 9 Information from www.nchealthcareers.com. 10 Information from EmploymentSecurity Commission of North Carolina. 11 Information provided by Carolinas HealthCare System.12Information from webdesignersalary.net.SPCC A-Z salary information is designed to serve as a guide to students making career choices.Graduates may make more or less money than the figures cited and salaries are in no wayguaranteed by South Piedmont Community College.Only in SPCCAuto Body Repair classes!SPCC auto body repair students now train on the Matrix Wand,a stereoscopic imaging system that provides three-dimensionalmeasurements of damaged vehicles to improve accuracy and fitduring the repair process. SPCC is the first community college inthe nation to provide Matrix Wand training!To learn more about the Auto Body Repair program at SPCC,contact Bob Winfrey at 704-272-7554 or rwinfrey@spcc.edu.Surgical TechnologyEmployment assisting in the care of the surgical patientin the operating room and to function as a member ofthe surgical team (Graduates are eligible to apply totake the Liaison Council’s Certification Examination forSurgical Technologists.)Employment opportunities: Hospitals, clinics and otherhealth related facilitiesDiplomaEntry Salary ranges: $26,000-$42,000 7Program Contact: Carol Courtney,ccourtney@spcc.edu, 704-272-5421Rob Bailey of Matrix Electronic Measuring demonstrates theMatrix Wand at SPCC.12I Summer 2011 I CareerFocus South Piedmont Community College I www.spcc.edu I 704-290-5100 or 704-272-5300

Showemployerswhat you knowSouth Piedmont Community Collegeoffers Career Readiness CertificationBronze • Silver • GoldScholarships are availableto dislocated workers livingin Anson orUnion counties,subject to availability of funds.Learn more:(Anson County) KristiPhifer,704-272-5460 orkphifer@spcc.edu(Union County) LindaKappauf,704-290-5215 orlkappauf@spcc.eduNew this Fallon theL.L. Polk CampusLocated on U.S. 74, PolktonGraphic Design classesContact John Hill, 704-272-5454,jhill@spcc.eduCriminal Justice classesContact Miriam Sallee, 704-290-5264,msallee@spcc.eduI should have finishedhigh school!Re-start your education at SPCC*Start where YOU need to…Adult Basic Education,Adult High School or GED classes.Start at any time throughout the year.Classes and materials are FREE.Choose your location…Choose your class time…Pick your class days.Call 704-290-5830 or 704-272-5468 andask for Basic Skills to learn more.*Classes are open to adults ages 18 and up.

Get ready for Summer & FallSteps to enroll:o Apply online at www.spcc.eduo Request transcripts–high school & collegeo Complete online orientationo Apply online for financial aido Take placement testRegister:May 23-24 or June 27-30 orJuly 25-28 or August 1-4Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.August 5, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.August 9-11, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.August 12, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.Registration Locations:Old Charlotte Highway Campus,4209 Old Charlotte Hwy., MonroeL.L. Polk Campus, U.S. 74, PolktonClasses begin Monday,August 15.To learn more, call704-272-5300 Anson County704-290-5100 Union Countywww.spcc.eduThe most up-to-date class scheduleis always available atwww.spcc.eduSouth Piedmont Community CollegeP.O. Box 126Polkton, NC 28135ECRWSSPOSTAL CUSTOMERNON PROFIT ORG.US POSTAGEPAIDANN ARBOR, MIPERMIT NO. 48